A/N: This fic as mentioned is in AU; therefore certain characters have never met before and will meet as the story progresses. This fic has many genres like drama, romance, angst, suspense, horror etc. currently I've made the genre drama/romance but I think I'll change it later. This story has been adapted from a book but with a considerable amount of modifications to fit in with the beyblade version. I won't mention the name of the book or the author for the time being as it can ruin the suspense.

Summary: one deadly secret. A serial killer. When murders take place some connected and some with seemingly no connection to Ray he is accused. Kai defends him and wants to believe in his innocence but the evidence all leads to Ray and the conclusion is as shocking as it is unbelievable...

Disclaimer: I'm only doing this once so read carefully – I don't own beyblade

Warnings: yaoi, character deaths, language, lime and possible lemon (in future) etc. if you don't like any of these then you are free to leave.

One Moment in Time

By Stunstar

Chapter one: And so it begins…

Ray woke up wondering what had caused this abrupt return to consciousness. He looked at the time and groaned - he hated mornings. He realised that he had awoken without the aid of an alarm clock a surprise in itself when he normally never even awoke to the shrill irritating sound of said contraption. He located the source of his wake up call through bleary eyes.

"Driger," he groaned as he curled into a tighter ball hoping to go back to sleep, it was only six forty five way too early for him, heck even nine o clock seemed too early for him and he would never have woken up before eleven if he didn't have to work.

However, Driger didn't seem to be in any mood to comply with his master's wishes. The huge white cat was extremely fluffy and had orange and black streaks across its back; it resembled a small tiger in certain ways. Driger simply ignored its masters muffled "go away" as he continued to stomp all over Ray and eventual found a gap in the blankets to lick its masters face.

"Stupid cat," Ray mumbled as he flung Driger off him and sat up yawning and pawing at his sleep filled eyes. Driger hissed at the less than warm greeting. Ray ignored the hiss and stretched in a very cat like manner. He decided to take a long warm shower in hopes of getting rid of his drowsiness. For some strange reason he felt very tired most of the times. He had gone to bed before ten the previous night but he felt like he had been up for more than half of it. He felt that many times and it unnerved him, add to that his fear that he was being stalked Ray was sure he was on the brink of paranoia. Ray shook his head at his stupid thoughts and readied himself for a shower only to find Driger rubbing against his legs and blocking his path.

"What is up with you? What do you have against me?" Ray asked the cat a tad dramatically. Driger mewed and continued to circle Ray's feet and it final struck its master that the cat was probably hungry.

Ray sighed and made his way towards the kitchen first and dumped a can of kitty food onto Driger's food dish.

"There I hope that makes you happy," he grumbled. Driger gobbled up the food in between purrs.

"You shouldn't talk with your mouth full," said Ray with a grin then yawned again. Driger would be busy for a while so he could get some extra shut eye.

Ray Kon was twenty three years old and was of ancient Chinese background and a neko-jinn. Born in a remote village in China he had moved to Japan when he was around fourteen. With amber eyes and tanned skin he was quite exotic looking. He had long ebony black hair which reached till the back of his knees which he usually wrapped using a white hair wrap, this and his slight lean figure gave him a slightly feminine look. All in all he was the kind of person who would allure anyone, so his fears of having a stalker weren't totally bizarre.

He lived in a small yet cosy two bed roomed apartment. It had a neat well furnished living room, a small kitchen with a dining table, his bedroom which had an en suite and a spare room which Ray didn't use. As he lived alone and he didn't have any excess belongings the room was kept locked most of the times. He decided on using it only if he ever had any special guest staying over. So far there had been no need for it. He preferred a quiet life and was currently once again fast asleep.

Ray woke up after another hour and took the long shower that he wanted and felt himself to be in a considerably better mood than he had been.

"Good morning Driger," he greeted cheerfully as he made himself a cup of coffee, "sorry about that time". He petted Driger affectionately and went to sit down for breakfast when the door opened and he was greeted by the friendly ever smiling face of his friend and neighbour Max Tate.

"Good morning Ray," he greeted happily as he bounced his way past Ray to sit at the table. Max lived in the flat opposite to Ray. He and Ray had become close friends when Ray had first moved into this building a little over a year ago. Considering that they were both friendly by nature it didn't take long for them to hit it off as friends. Twenty two year old Max was a writer who wrote up articles for the local newspapers. Seeing as he had only to write and all he needed was his pen, paper and imagination his work was pretty much a stay-at-home job. He didn't have a permanent job; he was freelance and worked for specific papers while his main goal was to hit it off as an author. They had the key to each others' apartments in case of emergencies or in Max's case to feed Driger and water Ray's plants when he wasn't there.

"Say, did you read the newspaper today?" Max asked as he buttered himself a toast.

"No why?" Ray asked as he sipped his coffee.

Max grinned and held out the paper he had brought in with him, "I knew you wouldn't that's why I brought it with me, turn to page 4 the review section."

Ray did as told and his face split into a bright smile as he read the review-

'Monsieur Oliver's, one of the branches of hotels owned by the young French kid Oliver Belmont is nothing short of splendid. There is little left to criticize about, least of all the main chef. Twenty three year old Ray Kon who started out his job at Monsieur Oliver's a year ago as assistant chef is currently head chef and probably one of the main reasons for the hotel's success. Top graduate of the famed Reynolds school of Culinary Arts, this young man shows great promise. If you ever want a taste of good food, the main suggestion is to try Monsieur Oliver's, believe me you won't go back disappointed.'

The review went on to state other aspects of the hotel which Ray didn't bother to read, he folded back the newspaper feeling exhilarated, "they never give such good reviews in this paper!" he exclaimed, which was true, the review section of this particular paper was most nasty at times.

"Let's just say you worked your magic, way to go buddy!" Max said patting him genially on the back while Ray still couldn't get over the awesome review and sat with the goofiest of grins, which goofy as it was was still quite adorable.

"Just don't let it get to your head okay? It's big enough as it is," Max joked earning a mock punch. "So are you headed for work now?"

"In a while, there's still plenty of time, stupid Driger woke me up earlier than planned," said Ray yawning as he did.

"Didn't you get enough sleep last night? I thought you declined my offer of hanging out so you could get some sleep," Max said peering concernedly.

"I know Max, I did turn in early last night. Let's face it I'm not really a morning person, I'll feel better later in the day. And besides, I think its one of those times when you just feel plain lazy. I'm sure this is no biggie," Ray said as he stifled another yawn.

Max grinned, "Did your stalker keep you up all night?"

Ray frowned, he had told Max about his stupid fears just to get it off his chest and Max had leant quite a sympathetic ear but that did not stop him from teasing Ray from time to time.

Max noticed the frown and grinned, "Sorry I won't tease you about that anymore, but you sure you're all right?"

"I'm fine," Ray snapped swatting away the hand that Max had kept on his forehead to feel his temperature.

"Yeah I'm sure you are. It's all just in your head Ray." That put an end to the topic and they continued their breakfast in a companionable silence occasionally broken by Driger's mewls.

"Well I'm off to work, take care," Ray said putting on his coat, it was bound to be a little cold outside and he hadn't quite adapted to cold weather.

"Okay honey, call me if you are going to be late," Ray laughed at Max's tone realising that he indeed had sounded like a husband reporting off to work.

Ray left and walked briskly towards the hotel where he worked. He didn't bother to close the door knowing Max would take care of that seeing as he was mostly home. Ray had a car but he much preferred to walk for the exercise and Monsieur Oliver's wasn't very far from his apartment. Ray loved his work, granted the name of the hotel wasn't the most imaginative but it was a very elegant place considering that its owner loved everything to do with beauty.

Oliver Belmont was a very nice person. He was the same age as Ray and hailed from a very wealthy French family born with a platinum spoon in his mouth. But he had none of the arrogance of most rich kids. He was a tad self centered but in a very naïve and innocent way. He had hotel branches in most of the leading cities of the world so he was hardly there most of the times. But he made it a point to visit everyone one of his hotels at least once a month.

Above the hotel's main entrance was a huge plaque with 'Monsieur Oliver's' written in elegant cursive and a huge unicorn symbolised it. The unicorn was the Belmont family's ancient mascot of sorts. Ray entered the plush, huge hotel using the employee's entrance and made his way towards the reception to sign in for work. Like earlier mentioned the hotel was extremely elegant. Oliver being a romantic at heart designed most of his hotels in a very romantic way, with soft lights, flowers and soft music. It was a favourite with couples. It was designed in French style and it was closer to being quaint than modern but still beautifully so. The hotel inspired Ray because it was his dream to own his own restaurant one day and he hoped he would be able to save enough soon. He was halfway through making it, if he was able to save a little more he would have enough finance with the bank loaning the rest. And he knew that he would make a success.

"Congratulations Ray! Saw that review of yours, it made me swoon, knew you had it in you."

Ray turned to see Michael sauntering over cocky grin in place. Ray smiled back in greeting. Twenty eight year old Michael Parker was the Chief Manager of the hotel and in extremely friendly terms with Ray. He was easy going, fun-loving and flirtatious and there was simply no resisting the American's charms.

"Thank you Michael," Ray replied as he made his way towards the dressing room to change into his Chef's uniform.

"I've never seen that blasted paper make such a flowery review. If you ask me it probably had more to it than your cooking." Michael said grinning cockily, as Ray slipped into the starched white uniform.

"What are you implying Michael?" Ray asked as he adjusted his hat.

"Oh come on Ray don't be so naïve. If you ask me they got so floored by your sheer gorgeousness that they didn't even notice what they ate, not that your food is bad it's just that you are better." Ray blushed.

"Admit it Ray you are one sexy looking thing. In fact I should file a case against you for such undue torture unto my heart."

"Shut up Michael," said Ray throwing a dish rag at him as he entered the massive kitchens blushing so bright he was the same shade as the pile of tomatoes.

Michael grinned, "I know you are playing hard to get, admit it you want me," Ray grinned back but pushed Michael out of the door.

"Get out Michael I unlike you actually have some work to do." With that he returned to supervise the other chefs and get to work; he had a busy day ahead but he simply couldn't stop smiling.

Ray pulled the coat tighter around him as he walked home in the twilight. He was glad he hadn't run into Michael as he left because the American would be sure to coax him into hanging out somewhere and Ray simply wasn't in the mood. Being head chef had certain advantages; he didn't have to work the whole day. He could assign tasks to his assistants and leave whenever he wanted. He stopped by the park to enjoy nature a bit. Before long he was dozing on the park bench.

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Ray woke up with a start and looked around. He was still on the park bench but despite the nap he felt pretty worn out. He looked at the time and realised he had been there for nearly two hours. He got up and straightened out his crumpled clothes wondering vaguely how they had gotten this crumpled, he stretched and walked homewards. It was dark now and every noise startled him as he got that same uneasy feeling that he was not alone. He walked faster but the feeling persisted. He looked back occasionally but saw no one. A few pedestrians were walking mindless of his presence. The street lights cast creepy shadows and it only heightened his sense of unease. He heaved a sigh of relief as the building he stayed in came to his sight. He almost laughed at his silly notions and he knew that Max was going to taunt him.

He smiled, he didn't mind the taunts in fact it only made him realise how utterly paranoid he was acting lately. He knew Max wasn't home right now, he had said something about visiting his dad. Ray wished he could be there he wasn't in the mood to be alone. He realised that he had Driger to talk to. He grinned at the idea of talking to a cat. He knew that in his kitty mind Driger probably laughed at his master's silliness too. That thought made him grin yet again. He took out his keys and opened the door.

He froze. The lights were already turned on.

Tbc…

A/N: there that was the first chapter. Oh and I suggest you read my author notes in the beginning of every chapter just in case I put something important there. Because since it's in AU there will be major changes in age and things like that. And MichaelRay and MaxRay is just friendship, I think it's cute.

Please read and review.